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Science of Persuation: How to persuade others?

According to wikipedia.org, Persuasion is:
Persuasion is an umbrella term of influence. Persuasion can attempt to influence a person's beliefs, attitudes, intentions, motivations, or behaviors.
In other words, persuasion is a process aimed at changing a person's (or a group's) attitude or behaviour

toward some event, idea, object, or another person(s). Knowing some of the persuasion techniques can be very helpful for a person as this techniques can help that person to excel in life (and/or his respective field like business, study, and even relationships).

So let's begin by asking these three questions and then I will tell you about Robert Cialdini's 6 principles of persuasion. So the questions are:
  1. Should one use counter-arguments while persuading?
  2. Should you take the central route (or peripheral route) to persuasion?
  3. Should you scare the receiver of the persuasion?
Answering these questions, counter-arguments can be helpful at times when the counter arguments are salient and when the receiver is highly intelligent or opposed to your position. In these cases, it will be good if you provide a two-sided appeal.

Second question, Central route includes facts, statics, and arguments while Peripheral route idle conditions like music, background, environment etc. Use central route when the receiver is actively involved otherwise use the peripheral route.

Last questions, YES!! it can be helpful if you scare the receiver of the persuasion as long as you provide a solution by which he can avoid the fearful situation.

Now let's discuss the Cialdini's 6 principles of persuasion. The 6 principles of persuasion are:

1. Reciprocity

Simply put, people are obliged to give back to others the form of behaviour, gift, or service that they have received first.

2. Scarcity

People want more of that thing which are scarce (available less).

3. Authority

This is the idea that people follow the lead of credible, knowledgeable experts.

4. Consistency

People like to be consistent with the things they have previously said or done.

5. Liking 

People prefer to say yes to those that they like.

6. Consensus

Especially when they are uncertain, people will look at the actions and behaviours of others to determine their own. 

I have not discussed this principle in details. Maybe in some other post, I will discuss these in more details. So there we have it. Six scientifically validated Principles of Persuasion that provide for small practical often costless changes that can lead to big differences in your ability to influence and persuade others in an entirely ethical way.

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